THE Farmers’ Market movement is coming of age – it’s now over 12 years since Myrtle Allen and I first set up our stalls in Cork’s Coal Quay side-by-side with fish smoker Frank Hederman, vegetable grower Caroline Robinson, Klaus and Hannah Balz with their beautiful bunches of fresh flowers and a couple of other brave souls.

DESPITE the hardship that many are enduring as the result of the economic meltdown, much good is emerging at grassroots level.

Grow your own Vegetables: Experienced growers Caroline Robinson and Rupert Hugh-Jones will talk about starting a garden, preparing the soil, making compost, sowing seeds, caring for plants and getting the most from polytunnels at the Crawford Art Gallery Café on Thursday, February 26, at 7.30pm, entrance €6 including tea or coffee.